TONY NICHOLAS THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL GUEST ON SOUNDS OF THE DIASPORA WITH HIST DION PARSON

This week's special guest is Tony Nicholas. Edwin "Tony" Nicholas is a Grammy Award-winning music producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose smooth, soulfultouch has helped shape the sound of modern R&B. At age eight, Tony began to receive his first musical training at Midway Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. It wasn't long before he was teaching his 3 siblings the harmonies to the choir songs and writing music for his toy instruments. With the family movingto Toledo at the start of middle school,Nicholas was quickly immersed in the band culture in Toledo. It was during this period when Nicholas heard the Emotions album "Rejoice" and realized he wanted to do what Maurice White did: produce records. Nicholas started playing in local clubs at age 13, and working os a session bassist and keyboardist by age 14. At 17. He left to attend Denison University, where he became the drummer for thejazz bond for 3 years, and the bassist for one year. Nicholas rose to prominence in the 1990s through his longstanding collaboration with Gerold Levert Together, they created multiple chart-toppingalbums, including Private Line, Love & Consequences, and the posthumous In My Songs, which earned a Grammy in 2007.

Nicholas's production and songwriting credits span an impressive roster of artists, including Joe,Freddie Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, The Oays, Regina Belle, The Backstreet Boys, Tamie, 3LW, Teddy Pendergrass, LSG, 702, and Subway. He also ployed a key role in launching the careers of Conya Doss and Antoine Dunn, producing the breakout single "Can't Forget."

Today, Nicholas is the owner of iBryton, a creative production company committed to elevating timeless, mature R&B. Through iBryton, he continues to work with both emerging and veteran artists, staying true to his passion for real musicianship and authentic soul music.
Nicholas has touredwith Gerald Levert, Mikki Howard,Eddie Levert, Johnny Gill, Antoine Dunn, LSG, The Commodores, and the O'Jays.

Your host, Dion Parson, is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.